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The 12 Most Important Health Benefits of Fish Oil

You’ve probably already heard about some of the amazing benefits of fish oil. This oil has become increasingly popular, with numerous sources talking about its benefits. And the research seems to back up all this hype too. There are many studies coming out about the health benefits of this oil for a variety of different health conditions.

What is Fish Oil?

An image of fish oil gel caps with sliced salmon in the background
Fish oil is good for your body because it contains omega-3 fatty acids. Your body can’t make these substances, so you have to derive them from the food you eat. This type of oil contains the fatty acids known as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), both of which are important in numerous functions throughout your body.

Unfortunately, it can be difficult to get these fatty acids from any other type of food. Even plant sources of fatty acids contain a different type of fatty acid, known as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which doesn’t have as many health benefits.

Fatty acids are essential for a number of vital functions in your body. They’re also protective, which means they may help protect you from developing certain health conditions.

Fish oil can be found in a number of dietary sources including fatty fish like trout, salmon, and mackerel. Omega-3 fatty acids can also be found in flaxseeds, walnuts, algae, and some other nuts and oils.

It can be taken in supplement form, though you should try to get what your body needs from food first. 1-2 portions of fish a week will go a long way towards fulfilling your requirements of this substance. However, it is also important to be aware of the possible mercury content of the fish you are consuming.

The Health Benefits of Fish Oil

There has been a fair amount of research done on the benefits of fish oil. Here are some ways that this oil can improve your health:

1. Improved Heart Health

Fish oil may help lower some of the risk factors associated with heart disease. Studies have shown that it can:

  • Reduce blood pressure
  • Increase levels of HDL cholesterol, the so-called ‘good’ cholesterol
  • Help prevent the build-up of plaque in the arteries
  • Help stabilize arterial plaque in people who already have them so they’re less dangerous
  • Lower triglyceride levels by around 15-30%
  • Reduce the incidence of abnormal heart rhythms that cause heart attacks

2. Reduce Inflammation

Chronic inflammation has been linked with everything from heart disease to cancer and diabetes. And it’s a common complaint in the modern world. Fish oil has anti-inflammatory effects that may help lower chronic inflammation levels. It may also help alleviate conditions associated with inflammation like arthritis.

3. Improved Mental Health

The human brain is made up of 60% fat, mostly omega-3 fatty acids, which is why this oil is so important for your brain health. In fact, some studies have also shown that people with certain mood disorders have lower omega-3 blood levels.

This may be why fish oil has been shown to protect against or improve the symptoms of mood disorders. For example, it can lower the chances of developing a psychotic disorder in high-risk people. In some cases, it can also help reduce the symptoms of mood disorders such as:

  • Depression
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Schizophrenia

However, this does not mean that someone with a mental disorder should stop taking medically prescribed medication in favor of this oil. Instead, with a doctor’s supervision and advice, this could be a safe and effective complementary therapy for people with mood disorders.

4. Improved Aging

An image of a woman with wrinkles holding a fish oil gel capMental decline is a common and very distressing side effect of aging. As you age, brain function slows and conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease can occur. However, studies have shown that people who eat a lot of fish experience slower mental decline as they age.

5. Weight Loss Support

It might sound strange to say that oil can help with weight loss, but there is evidence that it can. In studies, fish oil has improved weight loss efforts and body composition, helping to reduce waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio. However, these studies are still preliminary, and more research is needed.

6. Improved Bone Health

As you age, essential minerals are lost from the bones, leading to breaks and conditions like osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. There is some evidence that suggests that people with high omega-3 fatty acid intakes and blood levels may also have better bone mineral density. So, if you’re taking calcium and vitamin D to protect your bones, consider fish oil as well.

7. Better Eye Health

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for good eye health, particularly as you age. This may be why studies have shown that eating fish can reduce your risk of eye health declining with age, a condition known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, the studies on this are still incomplete.

8. Smoother Skin

Fish oil can help protect your skin health, smoothness, and suppleness as you age. It may also help reduce the symptoms of skin disorders like dermatitis and psoriasis.

9. Pregnancy Support

Omega-3s are essential for pregnant mothers as these fatty acids are important for fetal growth and development. This oil may impact everything from learning to hand-eye development and allergies in infants and babies, so this is a very important benefit. It may also help prevent preterm labor.

10. Healthy Liver

Fish oil may help improve liver function and lower inflammation. This may help reduce non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition caused by the accumulation of fat in the liver.

11. Better Brain Health in Children

Omega-3s make up a significant portion of the brain, so it’s absolutely essential that children get enough of these fatty acids. This may help with brain development, and it may also help reduce perceived hyperactivity, aggression, inattention, and impulsiveness.

12. Reduced Childhood Asthma

This oil has been shown to reduce asthma symptoms, particularly in children. This may be in part because of the oil’s anti-inflammatory effects, as asthma is strongly associated with swelling in the lungs.

Fish Oil and Adrenal Fatigue

Finding strategies to relieve the problems and symptoms caused by Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome (AFS) can be difficult. This disorder is caused by prolonged stress, which causes imbalances in the NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) stress response. This stress response is activated by cortisol, the stress hormone secreted by the adrenal glands, and helps protect you from the damage that stress can cause.

When the NEM stress response is active for too long it can become unbalanced and dysfunctional. There are 6 circuits composed of major, related organs and systems in the NEM stress response. So when it becomes unbalanced, it can cause problems and symptoms throughout your entire body.

Finding strategies that can correct this disorder is very difficult for a number of reasons. Problems and symptoms that occur with AFS can be widespread and confusing. And alleviating them means working to identify the underlying cause and correcting it.

Here are some of the ways that fish oil can help with that:

Decrease Inflammation

Chronic, widespread inflammation is a key cause of AFS and of stress. Often this inflammation comes from a variety of sources such as infections and generally poor health. By helping to decrease general inflammation in the body, this oil could help reduce related symptoms.

Safe and Gentle

One of the problems with AFS is that strategies to alleviate it often backfire and worsen the symptoms and imbalances. But fish oil is safe and gentle and should benefit the body without causing additional stress or sensitivities in most people. You can also get it in food from fish and some plants, which is usually safer than supplements. However, it's still a good idea to talk to your doctor about it, especially if you have advanced AFS.

Brain Health

Brain fog, memory problems, and mood disruptions are very common in people with AFS due to inflammation, poor gut health, and malfunctions in the Neuroaffect circuit. Eating more fish or taking oil supplements could help encourage better functioning in the brain and nerves.

Liver Health

The liver is a vital part of the body’s detoxification processes and is often negatively impacted in AFS. The build up of toxins that can result can be very detrimental to your health. Fish oil could help alleviate this problem and give the liver what it needs to heal and function at its best.

The Takeaway

An image of fish oil gel caps with sardines on themFish oil is one of the most beneficial sources of fatty acids that you can get. It may help protect you against certain diseases and conditions and will help your body function at its best. If you want to try to include more of this in your diet, then here’s how:

  1. Eat wild-caught, fatty fish 1-2 times a week.
  2. Supplement only if necessary.
  3. Try to eat more omega-3 plant sources, but remember that they don't have as many benefits as fish oil.

For more information on choosing the best diet for you, talk to our team on +1 (626) 571-1234 or click here.

© Copyright 2016-2022 Michael Lam, M.D. All Rights Reserved.

Dr. Lam’s Key Question

Fish oil helps many parts of your body function correctly and may also protect you from inflammation, brain disorders, heart disease, bone loss, and more. It’s also gentle and safe for almost anyone, and you can get it from food.

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